“One of the main challenges facing the industrial coatings
industry is the unprecedented escalation in the price of oil, natural gas and raw materials, which is having a significant
impact on everything from manufacturing to shipping costs,”
said Singhal. Other issues he mentioned are new federal, state
and local regulations limiting the amount of emissions that can
be released into the atmosphere and an increasing focus on
health and safety issues.
In response to the escalating raw material prices, Rohm and
Haas recently applied an across-the-board surcharge on all of
its products in North and South America, Europe and Turkey.
“The surcharge is indexed to changes in energy and raw material costs and will be adjusted monthly to reflect increases or
decreases in these costs,” Singhal explained.
In order to stay afloat in this challenging environment,
industrial coatings manufacturers must develop innovative
solutions for their customers. Environmentally responsible and
sustainable products offer the industrial coatings market
opportunities for growth.
“Despite the volatility of the construction market, the build-
ing and construction market still offers a significant opportunity for industrial coatings,” said McKay. “The growth and
increased awareness of green building initiatives will continue
to require sustainable coatings solutions like BASF’s Ultra-Cool and Vari-Cool production. In the aluminum extrusion
industry, for instance, products like our EcoCeam, which is
HAPs compliant and low VOC flexible polyester coatings have
less impact on the environment.”
Rohm and Haas has introduced a number of innovative,
environmentally advanced, high-performance binders and
resins for industrial coatings. “Coatings suppliers are looking for solutions to tougher VOC regulations and are seeking innovative water-based technology that couples the performance of solvent-based systems with formulated cost
savings,” said Singhal.
“PPG is always striving to innovate,” said Horne. “We are
working to make all of our coatings more user and environmentally friendly, use less energy and utilize better application
processes. We also continuously strive globally with raw material standardization to ensure our products are superior
regardless of their manufacturing and application location.”
On the merger and acquisition front earlier this year
Sherwin-Williams acquired Becker Powder Coatings in North
America, a subsidiary of AB Wilh. Becker based in Sweden.
Simultaneously, AB Wilh. Becker acquired the North American
coil coatings business of Sherwin-Williams. The business will
be integrated into Becker Specialty, a Chicago-based subsidiary of AB Wilh. Becker.
Headquartered in Columbus, OH, Becker Powder Coatings
Inc. produces powder coatings applied to appliances, metal furniture, fixtures, equipment and electronic products manufactured throughout North America. Becker Powder Coatings has
sales of approximately $14 million.
“This is another positive step in our strategy of steady
growth and expansion with a quality set of products and people who provide excellent service to our customers,” said
Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO, The Sherwin-Williams Company.
“As a leader in coil coatings, this acquisition, following our
acquisition of Specialty Coatings Company, is another important step in growing our North American business,” said AB
Wilh. Becker chairman and CEO, Jenny Linden Urnes. CW
Saudi Business opportunity in
Saudi Arabia
We are one of the pioneer decorative
paints business in Saudi Arabia. We are
keen to have joint venture with an inter-
national company in the field of coating
manufacturing. Please contact the busi-
ness development manger Email:
bdm@mepaints.com or
Tel. +966507303020.
